Wed 4 Jul 2007
We’re buying a what?
Posted by Nette @ Smiling Mom under Hubby Love, New things, Vacation
I should start this by saying that I was one of those girls. I was the girl who believed with my whole heart that I could change my man.
Go ahead and laugh. I know. Because I now laugh at the younger generation for the same thing.
But I believed that I could, in this particular area, change Hubby.

Hubby always has told me he was going to buy an RV when he retires.
SM: OK Hubby. That sounds great.
I hate to drive long distances, hate the idea of spending buckets of money on a gas guzzling vehicle which will sit in our driveway depreciating as we don’t use it. But this was a battle I wouldn’t have to fight for many years.
I could change Hubby’s mind.
And then it intensified. By it, I mean his desire for an RV. He wanted one now.
He had a 5 year plan. What was the plan? To buy one in five years. No plan, just a desire that he called his plan.
But I knew better. I could change him. I did the math and knew there was no way we could buy an RV in 5 years. Heck, we can barely afford our mortgage let alone groceries each month!
Then the conversation went from an occasional mention to an every freaking time we saw a damn RV type of fixation. Do you know how many Northern Californians have RVs?
A LOT.
Then…… we took a camping trip this weekend with our dear friends who happened to be sporting the almighty folding tent trailer.
I had been talking these up off an on for months now. Aside from them being about $40K cheaper than an RV, they use no gas, insurance would be cheaper, and storage would be less of a concern.
Hubby stepped one foot into the trailer and fell in love. He was sold.
We, folks, are buying a tent trailer. Hopefully next spring, but it’s a go.
I feel like I’ve just won the lottery. Hubby no longer wants to spend an asinine amount of money on an RV which would be under used and over priced, and now is excited, I mean EX-CITED about the folding tent trailer.
Wait a minute. I don’t know if I should look at this as if I’ve just lost upwards of $10K or if I’ve gained $40K.
I think I’ll look at it as gaining $40K.
See women, some men can be changed!

July 4th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Good job making $40,000!
My husband wants to retire to his family farm…I’m already in the process of changing him!
July 4th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Well i actually have to say I’m a bit jealous… I might think of buying one of those monstrosities is we just had a place to park it. Because really, who wants to sleep on the GROUND in this day and age, even if it is camping. Very uncivilized.
July 4th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
What a waste of money. That’s all I have to say about that.
July 5th, 2007 at 8:34 am
See you should look at this from a different angle, brother. If we get one, you have access to one for free. Now is it such a waste of money?
July 5th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
OK, this is Dad weighing in. I think it’s a good idea. You are right about the RV, SM. Way too expensive for the amount of use it’ll get. And quite honestly, two government employees trying to raise two young kids really can’t afford one. On the other hand, the big, 200 lb canvas tent is dumb, too. We all know that from personal experience. I think the folding trailer is a perfect compromise. And the best part — mom and I will have our own granny suite when we come to visit!
July 6th, 2007 at 12:17 am
Congrats! My former boss had one, and her family just loved it. I’m not such a camping person, but maybe such amenities would make it more palatable.